Firebirds Compete at Delaware State's Hornet Invitational

DOVER, DE - The University of the District of Columbia Women's Cross Country team competed at the Hornet Invitational hosted by Delaware State on Saturday, September 12th.

Pacing the Firebirds in this 5K race was senior Simone Grant (Health Education - Bronx, NY/Pelham Prep Academy), who improved 43 seconds from last week for a team-best time of 23:00.30 and placed 19th overall out of 52.

Next in was junior Kay-Tiarra Johnson (Psychology - Hempstead, NY/Hempstead HS) who placed 28th overall with a time of 24:14.10. Freshman Rachel German was 3rd for UDC and 38th overall with a time of 25:25.20 - a 51-second improvement from a week ago.

Not far off was a pack of three Firebirds who finished 40th-42nd. Graduate Jerily Benjamin (Health Education - Bronx, NY/Phillip Randolph HS) was 40th with a time of 25:58.30, sophomore Geordinell Thurston (Biology - Freeport, Bahamas/Bishop Michael Eldon School) was 41st in 26:34.80 - over a minute faster than last week - and senior Marlena Wright (TV Production - Bronx, NY/Dewitt Clinton HS)was 42nd in 26:45.60.

Also finishing for UDC were sophomore Shayna Hodge (Undecided - Glenn Dale, MD/Duval HS), freshman Saida Burnsmoore, junior Jasmine Walker and junior Stacy-Ann Rowe.

Head Coach Alton McKenzie pointed out that it is still early in the cross country season, and the emphasis is on improvement.

"We need to keep working hard as a team and continue building towards improving week to week," McKenzie said.

The Firebirds are back in action next week at UMES' Cappy Anderson Invitational on Saturday, September 19th.